Water District Budget Unrealistic

Scrutinize Its Staffing, Clarify Job

Florida's five water management districts are government hybrids. Their governing boards levy property taxes, but citizens can't vote board members out of office because the governor appoints them.

This year the South Florida Water Management District, which covers part or all of 16 counties from Orlando southward through the Keys, is proposing a 24 percent tax increase. That's such an outlandishly high percentage, at a time when nearly all governmental units are holding the line on taxes, it's extremely hard to justify.

Water district executives contend the main cause is the Florida Legislature, which requires the district to carry out directives without providing money for them. One example is the Everglades construction project, meant to clean up polluted water in the famed River of Grass.

Previously the Legislature paid for part of the district's efforts to improve water quality, but no longer. The district is stuck this year with $24 million for the project; the total proposed budget is $184 million.

To a degree, district executives are justified in pointing to the Legislature as a reason for the proposed tax increase. Still, as a reality in South Florida, the strong anti-tax climate just about guarantees there will be little or no tax increase when the budget process is completed.

This is true despite widespread support for cleaning up the Everglades. Nearly every South Floridian endorses the goal, and the plan to construct large cleansing areas to drain away pollutants seems promising.

To the extent South Floridians know anything about the water district, and few do, they want the Everglades cleaned up without a tax increase. The water district will have to achieve economies by scrutinizing every current and contemplated expense with an eye to cutting back.

In a little-understood agency that has grown steadily to more than 1,600 employees, reasonable reductions certainly can be made in the budget. Whether 26 employees should be added, as proposed, is questionable. Whether every current job should be retained is worthy of close study.

The district ought to examine the necessity and staffing of "outreach/service centers" scattered across the region. Could some be combined or eliminated?

While it's usually commendable to set aside large sums of money for expenses that are sure to come next year, such as actual construction in the Everglades project, current reality may prevent that.

A series of public hearings on the proposed budget starts on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale at the Broward County Government Center on South Andrews Avenue. In Miami a hearing is set for Thursday, Aug. 3, at the West Dade Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way. Both sessions start at 6:30 p.m.

Public comment also will be heard on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the water district headquarters in West Palm Beach. That meeting starts at 1 p.m.

Usually these hearings are poorly attended by the public, although lobbyists and special interests show up. If you're concerned about the tax increase, make your voice heard.